School committee approves annual memorandum of understanding with police on school resource officer
Summary
The committee approved the annual memorandum of understanding and agreement with the police department covering the school resource officer (SRO) arrangement and voted to sign the agreement; committee members discussed oversight and the technical $1 consideration used for the SRO assignment within school employment rules.
The Westborough School Committee voted Sept. 24 to approve the memorandum of understanding (MOU) and the annual agreement with the police department that governs the school resource officer (SRO) stationed in the district.
Superintendent Allison described the arrangement as longstanding and said SRO Chip Dafalite has been responsive and maintains strong rapport with students and staff. Committee members discussed the technical nature of the agreement — shown in documents as a $1 consideration — and the reason the SRO is treated as a district employee for certain access and assignment purposes. Allison said the town covers the officer's salary and that the formal agreement documents the working relationship and responsibilities.
A motion to approve the agreement passed unanimously (vote recorded as 5‑0‑0). The committee chair and members signed the agreement as required.
Why it matters: The MOU establishes roles, communication protocols and responsibilities between the district and the police department. The committee emphasized the SRO's day‑to‑day responsiveness to school events and the importance of a clear, annual agreement to document the working relationship.
